FBPD officers and Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force agents at 9:13 a.m. Feb. 5 served a search warrant at a home in the 200 block of South Harrison Street.

Authorities found 304 marijuana plants, ranging in size from five inches to five feet tall, and growing in two separate sheds on the property, according to the FBPD. They also found four pounds of processed marijuana, a shotgun and items indicating marijuana sales, the FBPD stated.

Mendocino County Child Protective Services was called to take custody of two small children in the home who were allegedly exposed to the plants and to marijuana fumes. Also aiding the FBPD were Mendocino County Juvenile and Adult Probation officers and an officer from the Mendocino County Social Services Fraud Unit.

Found inside the home were Benjamin Dechenne, 33, and two women. Dechenne was arrested on suspicion of several marijuana-related crimes, including cultivating and selling it, according to the FBPD.

Jocelyn Dechenne, 32, was found in the town of Mendocino, and the Sheriff's Office arrested her on suspicion of marijuana violations, the FBPD stated. She was cited and released to appear in court "due to a medical condition," according to the press release.

Police also called Pacific Gas & Electric, the Fort Bragg Fire Department and Fort Bragg Code Enforcement to aid in the investigation because of possible safety concerns and code violations.

"After the investigation it was clear that due to the electrical issues at the power source, this was a public safety concern," the FBPD's Friday press release states. The property was tagged, and the owners were given seven days to correct the electrical problems, according to the release.

Authorities searched two vehicles the couple owned and seized them, having determined they were used in the alleged marijuana operation, the FBPD stated. In addition, the FBPD asked Mendocino County District Attorney's Office investigators to review the couple's financial records and forward all reports to the Internal Revenue Service for possible seizure of financial assets.

The FBPD thanked the aiding agencies and the public for "identifying and removing these serious public hazards from this community."

To report suspected marijuana grows in the city of Fort Bragg, call the FBPD at 961-2800, the Crime Tip Hotline at 961-3049 or city of Fort Bragg Code Enforcement at 961-2827.